First-Time GRAMMY Nominees: The National

(The Recording Academy asked some of this year's first-time GRAMMY nominees to collect their thoughts and share what it feels like to be nominated for a GRAMMY.)

I was on the train home when I started getting messages from our manager saying, "Congratulations." At first I had no idea what for, so I wrote back, "Thanks," and then, "For what?" Moments later I received her reply that the GRAMMY nominations had just been announced and that our band were nominees for Best Alternative Music Album. It was far from my mind that this was a possibility for us (and I had forgotten the significance of the announcement date).

We've been a family of brothers and friends practically our whole lives, and a band for more than 14 years, working, touring, traveling, and playing together in clubs, small venues and, in more recent years, larger theaters and venues. Our group and whole team are very much a family — one that has worked hard and enjoyed and endured together all the ups and downs along the way.

Through the night and next day we received so many nice messages and congratulations from friends and family everywhere. It made me realize that the GRAMMYs is an award that not only musicians and the music industry recognize, but people everywhere! We can't wait to attend the event on Jan. 26 — it's a real honor and humbling experience for us all to be nominated and recognized among so many of our talented peers.

Good luck to everyone, and thank you!

— Scott Devendorf

(The National — comprising Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar/keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Bryan Devendorf (drums), and Scott Devendorf (bass) — are nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for Trouble Will Find Me. Released in 2013, the album features 13 tracks and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.)

Come back to GRAMMY.com on Jan. 22 as we hear from first-time GRAMMY nominee Tig Notaro. Tune in to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 8–11:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Meanwhile, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and breaking GRAMMY news.

First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Volbeat

(The Recording Academy asked some of this year's first-time GRAMMY nominees to collect their thoughts and share what it feels like to be nominated for a GRAMMY.)

Well, what can I say? It's an absolute honor for Volbeat to be nominated for a GRAMMY this year. The funny thing is that I was in Europe when the GRAMMY nominees were announced and I basically woke up really early one morning to my phone beeping out of control. I looked at my Twitter page with one eye and the first thing I saw were a bunch of messages saying, "Congrats on the GRAMMY nomination, Rob!" For a minute I thought I was either dreaming or still drunk from the night before. I called my manager right away to see what was going on and then it was confirmed ... Volbeat were indeed nominated for Best Metal Performance for our song "Room 24"(Feat. King Diamond). I was literally blown away!

My phone continued to get flooded with flattering tweets, texts and messages over the next few hours. Out of sheer excitement I decided to read some of the posts that were going up online (this is where it gets funny). I came across a tweet that said something to the effect of "Congratulations Rob on the GRAMMY nomination, I hope Anthrax wins this year." Huh? What? Anthrax? Then I got a text from a good buddy of mine expressing a similar sentiment as well as a 200-word excited message from my dad, so I called my manager back to find out more and as it turns out, I'm actually nominated twice this year! On the last record I did as the lead guitarist of Anthrax (Anthems), we recorded our version of the classic AC/DC song "T.N.T." and this song just so happens to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the same category as Volbeat. To say I was beyond thrilled would be a major understatement … wow!

I'm proud of these two songs for many reasons but I'll just give you the main bullet points. On Volbeat's "Room 24" I got to work with one of my biggest inspirations in the world of heavy metal: the legendary King Diamond! It was a dream to work with him and I think his performance on that track is absolutely outstanding. I remember all of us sitting in the control room in Denmark listening back to his vocals while the chills ran up our sleeves and the lights flickered.

Anthrax's version of AC/DC's "T.N.T." is also very special to me because not only is Angus Young my favorite lead guitar player (along with Eddie Van Halen) but AC/DC were the first band I ever got into as a kid. It was a huge challenge and a helluva lot of fun trying to capture Angus' spirit while still making an attempt to put my own stamp on such a classic song. I think we all felt that way collectively. On top of that, after a decade of blood, sweat, tears, and good times, Anthems would mark my last recording with Anthrax.

I know we're up against some serious heavy hitters for this award but I think it's safe to say: It will be well-deserved no matter who wins the GRAMMY for Best Metal Performance this year. Personally I'd love to take home the award just so I could give it to my mom and dad. After all, they did buy me my first AC/DC record ... and a guitar to go with it!

Come back to GRAMMY.com on Jan. 21 as we hear from first-time GRAMMY nominees the National. Tune in to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 8–11:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Meanwhile, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and breaking GRAMMY news.

First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Alan Ferber

(The Recording Academy asked some of this year's first-time GRAMMY nominees to collect their thoughts and share what it feels like to be nominated for a GRAMMY.)

I must have been in the middle of playing a loud trombone solo at a Saturday night gig when the text came into my phone saying "GRAMMY-nominated!!!" from my pianist friend, Dave Cook. I saw the message on the ensuing set break and wrote back, "WTF?! … That's unexpected!" I had to go to GRAMMY.com to check it out myself. I think I refreshed the page three times until I started believing I was actually nominated.

This is my fifth record as a leader and it was recorded with a 17-piece big band over two six-hour sessions. Most of the takes that were used on the album were first takes, which is a testament to the amazing chemistry the band had over those two days in the studio. Leading a large ensemble recording usually comes riddled with multiple levels of anxiety during the recording process, but the band members, the studio (Systems Two in Brooklyn), the engineers, and my wife's well-curated lunch spread made it one of the most pleasant, fulfilling and memorable record dates I've ever lead. The recording engineer, Joe Marciano, continuously told me throughout the session that this was going to be a special record. I'm glad that he and I aren't the only ones who feel this way about the music. I'm grateful for this nomination and it reinforces my belief that if you take care of the music, it will take care of you.

(Alan Ferber is nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for March Sublime. The album features eight tracks, including five that were penned by Ferber and a cover of Björk's "Hyper-Ballad.")

Come back to GRAMMY.com on Jan. 13 as we hear from first-time GRAMMY nominee Cécile McLorin Salvant. Tune in to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 8–11:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Meanwhile, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and breaking GRAMMY news.

First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Della Mae

(The Recording Academy asked some of this year's first-time GRAMMY nominees to collect their thoughts and share what it feels like to be nominated for a GRAMMY.)

Dec. 6, 2013Winding along the backroads of Johnson City, Tenn., headed to our home for the night after a show at the Down Home, Jenni Lyn let out a scream. "Shut up!" she yelled from the backseat of the van, "I just got an email that says, 'Congratulations on your GRAMMY nomination.'" Celia whipped around from her shotgun position with an incredulous "no way!" and immediately our cell phones were out and we were ferociously working to check [GRAMMY.com] for the freshly posted nominee list. Once we confirmed that This World Oft Can Be was truly nominated for Best Bluegrass Album, the van erupted like a pack of excited hyenas. This world oft can be ... loud.

Dec. 7, 2013Exactly one year after making a life-changing trip as musical ambassadors to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, we were introduced onstage as GRAMMY nominees. This World Oft Can Be, recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in April 2012, was fueled by melodies and stories and infused with spirits of the past. Around the globe, we shared that unbridled spirit with our songs; 200 days on the road through rain or shine and wind and snow. Our first show as GRAMMY nominees brought into focus a year filled with new places, people and experiences. This world oft can be ... a wild and wonderful place to be.

Dec. 10, 2013From the legendary stage at the Ryman Auditorium, Bill Cody's deep baritone voice rang out, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome GRAMMY-nominated Della Mae." Our debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage and final show of 2013 encompassed all that we had worked for since the inception of the band. We are humbled and so excited to be nominated. This World Oft Can Be swept us into a year of accomplishment and gratitude. We cannot help but wonder what more will come. Thank you for supporting us along the way.

(Della Mae — comprising Courtney Hartman (lead guitar), Jenni Lyn Gardner (mandolin), Kimber Ludiker (fiddle), Shelby Means (bass), and Celia Woodsmith (guitar) — are nominated for Best Bluegrass Album for This World Oft CanBe. Released in May 2013, the album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart.)

Come back to GRAMMY.com on Jan. 18 as we hear from first-time GRAMMY nominee Aleks Syntek. Tune in to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 8–11:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Meanwhile, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and breaking GRAMMY news.

Nominations for the 56th GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected one of the most diverse years with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the rap, pop, country and dance/electronica genres, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. Once again, nominations in select categories for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," a one-hour CBS entertainment special broadcast live from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.

"This year's nominations reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry of the year in their respective fields," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Once again, The Academy's awards process and its voting membership have produced an impressive list of nominations across various genres promising music fans a spectacular show filled with stellar performances and unique 'GRAMMY Moments.' We are off to a great start and look forward to GRAMMY Sunday as Music's Biggest Night takes the stage."

For Best Dance/Electronica Album, the nominees are Random Access Memories by Daft Punk; Settle by Disclosure; 18 Months by Calvin Harris; Atmosphere by Kaskade; and A Color Map Of The Sun by Pretty Lights.

The Best Rock Performance nominees are "Always Alright" by Alabama Shakes; "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" by David Bowie; "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons; "Kashmir (Live)" by Led Zeppelin; "My God Is The Sun" by Queens Of The Stone Age; and "I'm Shakin'" by Jack White.

For Best Alternative Music Album, the nominees are The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You by Neko Case; Trouble Will Find Me by The National; Hesitation Marks by Nine Inch Nails; Lonerism by Tame Impala; Modern Vampires Of The City by Vampire Weekend.

For Best Rap Album, the nominees are Nothing Was The Same by Drake; Magna Carta…Holy Grail by Jay Z; Good Kid, M.A.A.D City by Kendrick Lamar; The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis; and Yeezus by Kanye West.

The Best Country Album nominees are Night Train by Jason Aldean; Two Lanes Of Freedom by Tim McGraw; Same Trailer Different Park by Kacey Musgraves; Based On A True Story by Blake Shelton; and Red by Taylor Swift.

The nominees for Best Americana Album are Old Yellow Moon by Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell; Love Has Come For You by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell; Buddy And Jim by Buddy Miller And Jim Lauderdale; One True Vine by Mavis Staples; and Songbook by Allen Toussaint.

This year's GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 22,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2012 – Sept. 30, 2013). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 11 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 8, 2014, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 56th GRAMMY telecast.

The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Jan. 26, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

For updates and breaking news, visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

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